23rd District PTA in October 2025
Magic Making in Riverside County since 1927!
Pumpkins, Falling Leaves, and Crisp Breezes, Oh My!
While we might not be enjoying crisp, fall air just yet - it's coming! We promise!
We've seen you all doing so many incredible things, and we are so excited for the magic that you will keep making as the year goes on!
As you may have already heard, there are some changes happening that will be flowing down to units in the coming weeks. Things to keep an eye out for:
- Make sure officer rosters are COMPLETE in the MyPTEZ system!
Remember, all members of the board should be listed in MyPTEZ (officers and chairs) and they all should have an email address and phone number! Plus, the president, secretary, and treasurer also need to have physical address in the system. Make sure everyone is listed where they should be! - New California State PTA bylaws updating system launching soon!
This new system, hosted through FutureFund Connects, will replace the eBylaws system that was formerly used by units for bylaws preparation. This new system should allow for bylaws submissions to be prepared and submitted through channels all inside the program! - New California State PTA document management system launching soon!
This new system will be hosted through FutureFundConnect, and will replace the MyPTEZ document management utility/system. The last day to use the MyPTEZ system will be October 31. After which, the document management system will no longer be able to be used. - New California State PTA roster management system launching soon!
This new system will be hosted through FutureFundConnect, and will replace the MyPTEZ roster entry utility/system. The last day to use the MyPTEZ system will be October 31. After which, the roster entry utility/system will no longer be able to be used.
So, what does this mean for MyPTEZ?
My PTEZ is not owned by California State PTA. It is owned by a separate company. California State PTA has simply chosen to contract with a different provider for some of its services. The financial management/accounting software portion of MyPTEZ will still continue to exist, and if your unit or council has an active subscription, that will not change - you will be able to complete your subscription as you normally would. Remember: No unit or council (or even district) is required to use MyPTEZ (and never have been).
Remember...
As you navigate the year, remember: it's okay to reach out for help. It's okay to make mistakes. We are all in this together, and if you don't know what to do or how to do it, or if something is going (or goes!) sideways - reach out to us for help! That's why we are here. From program and fundraising ideas, to financial reviews, to grants, to...well...stuff we haven't thought about yet that will help - we're here to help you!
In this newsletter, you will find links, attachments, and information to help your PTA or PTSA run smoothly and effectively throughout the year. We know it's a lot of information, but it really is designed to help support you and help you make sure your PTA's business is clean, clear, transparent, and purposeful!
As a reminder...
Units, please remember to keep your councils in the loop when communicating with us (Corona-Norco, Hemet-San Jacinto, Lake Elsinore, Riverside, and Temecula Valley - this means you!). Out-of-council units, you'll come right to us (This means Jurupa Valley, Alvord, Val Verde, Menifee, Murrieta, Perris, Romoland, Cherry Valley, Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, and Beaumont)!
Regardless of where you are, you can always reach us at help@23rddistrict.org!
We know many of you are brand-new leaders, and that's wonderful - no matter where you are in your PTA journey (brand-new, returning, or even a PTA veteran), we are always learning. That's what training and asking questions is for - so don't be afraid to reach out to us here at Twenty-Third District - we are so glad that you are here helping to make magic for kids and we are proud to support you!
Happy October, and know that we are here cheering you on! Keep up the amazing work, Magic-Makers, and we look forward to seeing you live and in-person in December at our in-person association meeting!
Kind Regards,
Becca Marks-Anderson
President
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You are receiving this newsletter as a PTA leader in Riverside County (Council or Unit), and you are a part of the Twenty-Third District PTA family. Families support each other, and we are here to support you! You matter, and we are very glad that you are here!
IRS, FTB, and AG Filings Are Due By November 15 - Don't Wait!
Tax filing doesn't have to be scary, but it does need to be completed! Don't worry, though, Twenty-Third District PTA is here to help!
1:1 individual unit tax filing support is available for units in need! Just pick your slot on October 28th or 29th, and we'll be there to help you. We'll help you figure out which filings are needed, and for simple filings, we'll even help you prepare them.
Reservations close October 21st, and spots are limited - so schedule early and don't miss out!
Click this link to schedule tax filing support for your unit
Have questions? Reach out to Help@23rdDistrict.org
October Training Workshops [October 20-24]
It's that time again! Time for Round 5 of Twenty-Third District PTA 2025-2026 Leadership Training! These trainings are free to attend, and you can attend as many as you like. Don't forget the General Finance and your positional training!
This round includes a complement of workshops that are designed to help support our leaders and give you the tools you need to be successful magic-makers for the 2025-2026 term of office. Many of these workshops were offered in previous rounds; however, if you missed it before - now is your time to take it!
You must register for each workshop you want to take, and links are tied to the individual registrant - so each person needs to register individually!
Click this link to access workshop options and to register now!
(Contact Webmaster@23rdDistrict.org for technical assistance or support)
Office Hours for Support [October]
Sometimes, you have questions that need answers, and you just need one-on-one support to get the answers you need to feel comfortable moving forward!
If that's the case, come see us at Twenty-Third District PTA office hours! Each month, we will have hours available where you can meet with Twenty-Third District PTA leaders just by dropping by the Twenty-Third District office, hopping on Zoom, or coming to see us at a public location. You can come to ask questions, drop off paperwork, payments or other documents, or just double-check that you're on the right track!
Zoom: October 16; 7:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
Topic: 23rd District PTA - Office Hours
Time: Oct 16, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82655478376?pwd=ryxCUjzTvzzAjgrWPYcYXiS7NvNusV.1
Meeting ID: 826 5547 8376
Passcode: OfcHrs25
In-Office: October 22; 2:30 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
38670 Sky Canyon Dr. #200, Office #202
Murrieta, CA 92563
Public location: October 27; 3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Twenty-Third District PTA Program Grants - NOW OPEN (Round 2)!
Twenty-Third District PTA is now offering Program Grants to help our units make magic for children county-wide!
Let's break it down:
- Purpose
These grants are intended to help our units fund creative, student-focused programs. Think family engagement nights, literacy or STEAM events, board game nights, or reading initiatives - if it directly benefits children, we want to help you support it! - What Can Be Funded?
Grant amounts vary, and will be awarded based on scope and impact of the program. The more details included in the application, the better able the proposal will be able to be considered for a grant award.
*Note: Preference may be given to programs that align with/support the Riverside County Office of Education's Superintendent's Initiatives (See the attached handout). - Who Can Apply?
Any PTA in good standing within Twenty-Third District PTA can apply via this link. The application will also be located on the Twenty-Third District website (www.23rdDistrict.org).
Proposals must focus on programs that directly benefit students. Funds cannot be used for: - School or district donations (e.g.: field trips, assemblies, or classroom supplies)
- Hospitality expenses (e.g.: staff or volunteer appreciation, or snacks/hospitality for meetings)
- PTA operational costs (e.g.: office supplies, convention/conference attendance)
- Grant Cycles and Deadlines
There will be three grant cycles in the 2025-2026 year. Round 1 has closed and awarding is in process. The remaining cycles are as follows: - Cycle 2: October 6, 2025 - January 5, 2026
- Submission deadline: January 5, 2026; 5:00 P.M.
- Cycle 3: January 6, 2026 - April 5, 2026
- Submission deadline: April 5, 2026
Applications will be reviewed in the week following the submission deadline, and award notifications will be sent within ten (10) days of each cycle deadline.
- Post-Grant Requirements
All grant recipients must complete and submit a wrap-up report and any unused funds within thirty (30) days of the completion of the event (form to be provided by Twenty-Third District PTA). The wrap-up report submission must include documentation of expenditures.
The NEW AIM Insurance Payment Process is Here!
Premium Amounts
- Premium amount for units: $305
- Premium amount for councils: $210
Make note:
- Established Units should remit the premium payment as soon as possible. If remitting the premium amount will be a financial hardship, please contact Insurance@23rdDistrict.org.
- Newly Organized Units - Organized April 1 - August 31: Please contact Twenty-Third District PTA before remitting the payment if remitting the premium amount will be a financial hardship, please contact Insurance@23rdDistrict.org.
- Newly Organized Units - Organized September 1 - Present: Do not pay the premium payment. New units organized after September 1 have extended coverage through 2026.
Reach out to us if your unit is missing the email, or you have any questions or need support - we're here to help!
Once again, if remitting the insurance premium will present a hardship for your unit or council, please reach out to Twenty-Third District PTA for help. Reach out to Insurance@23rdDistrict.org.
Review and Renew: Submitting Bylaws
Bylaws submission is entirely virtual - no printing required! Councils and Out-of-Council units will submit directly to Twenty-Third District PTA, and in-Council units will submit to their council.
Bylaws should be submitted to Bylaws@23rdDistrict.org and must include:
- A completed Bylaws Submittal Cover Sheet listing all changes
- A completed bylaws document on the current template (2024)
Bylaws templates are attached for unit use. Remember to use the fillable fields for bylaws only. Do not alter or use any other means of filling out the template. Please reach out to us if you need assistance! We're here to help!
Bylaws must by renewed at least every five years from the date of the California State Parliamentarian's signature, and Twenty-Third District PTA will start sending out past-due notices soon to help keep units current!
Don't Forget to Remit Membership Per Capita!
As of July 1, membership per capita (the portion that is sent through channels) increased by one dollar. For Out-of-Council units, this means that for each membership your PTA receives, $5.75 should be forwarded monthly. That's right, membership per capita should be forwarded monthly.
Membership remittances can be delivered in person via 23rd District PTA office hours, or can be mailed to the Twenty-Third District PTA office:
23rd District PTA
c/o Riverside County Office of Education
38670 Sky Canyon Dr. #200, Office #202
Murrieta, CA 92563
Things to note:
- Do not remit membership per capita for members who have joined electronically via TOTEM. The TOTEM system accepts their payment and forwards the per capita appropriately.
- Manually entered members in TOTEM still need per capita forwarded. Members who have joined via cash or check can be manually entered into TOTEM, but the system will not forward the per capita. Your unit will still need to forward the per capita amount by check.
- ALL UNITS MUST HAVE AT LEAST 15 MEMBERS FORWARDED BY OCTOBER 31. Units that do not have at least 15 members on record will be receiving direct communication from Twenty-Third District PTA in the coming week.
We are currently looking into options for ACH payments to 23rd (so you don't have to travel or mail), and we hope to have options available soon!
October Membership Challenge - PTA is COMMUNITY!
Every member matters, and we want to help keep Twenty-Third District PTA units energized and excited about membership! We already have more than 30,000 members in Riverside County - we can only go up from here! To help encourage our leaders, we have a whole list of membership challenges to guide us through 2025-2026 with the potential for units to win awesome PTA swag as a prize! Each month there is a new challenge, with a new opportunity to win a prize!
Our challenges handout is attached so you can see everything we have in store!
OCTOBER CHALLENGE: PTA IS COMMUNITY!
Have at least 10 new supporters join your PTA as members (extended family members, neighbors, community officers, etc.) and share the list with us (either the TOTEM list or your membership list!) by the deadline for the opportunity to win a "You Belong in PTA!" banner from Twenty-Third District PTA!
Have questions? Reach out to us at Membership@23rdDistrict.org
The Twenty-Third District PTA Membership Challenges are attached below - don't miss out on your opportunity to win a prize!
DON'T FORGET!
- October is a very important membership month, because it's also the month where we will select our 100 Club challenge winner! What's the 100 Club? The 100 Club is for any unit that's reached 100 or more members by the 100th day of the 2025-2026 year!
- California State PTA's membership challenges: Overall goal of 2% increase per unit in membership over 2024-2025, with a stretch goal of 4% increase in membership - we can do this! Check out the California State PTA Membership Challenges attached to this newsletter!
[Awardees for challenges will be selected from submissions on the second Thursday of each month and announced on social media the following Monday. Awarded units will also be contacted directly to arrange for prize pick-up/delivery.]
2025-2026 Membership Cards and Envelopes are HERE!
That's right! 2025-2026 Membership Cards and Envelopes are here and ordering is now open. Please use the form linked below to request cards and/or envelopes for your OOC unit or council. (In-council units should contact their council first, as the council may have these items in stock already).
Order Membership Cards and Envelopes by Clicking This Link
Membership cards are free, but resources are limited! Remember, if individuals join via TOTEM, they do not receive a paper membership card! Please request cards in multiples of 8.
Membership envelopes are $15/box for a box of 500 envelopes. Units and councils will be invoiced for payment, and payment must be received within 60 days of invoice. The purchase of envelopes is an acceptable and reimbursable unit expense.
For questions regarding cards and envelopes, please email Treasurer@23rdDistrict.org
Is Your PTA/PTSA Hosting the Reflections Program in 2025-2026?
There is still time to participate in Reflections!
You'll find everything you need for the program in this folder: (click this link), including links to the new entry forms, leaders' guides, logos, graphics, and more!
Have questions? Reach out to us at Reflections@23rdDistrict.org.
ALL ENTRIES FROM COUNCILS/OOC UNITS ARE DUE TO 23rd DISTRICT PTA
ON DECEMBER 4, 2025 (IN-PERSON GENERAL ASSOCIATION MEETING)
*Please remember that for Twenty-Third District PTA only physical entry forms and physical submissions can be submitted. No online/virtual submissions or entry forms permitted. Submissions in Dance Choreography, Music Composition, and Film Production must be submitted on a flash drive/CD.
Riverside County Office of Education's Superintendent's Initiatives are areas of focus to help ensure that all students are able to enter the world after graduation academically and socially prepared for college, the workforce, and civic responsibility - wherever our students go, they will succeed.
Your PTA can help support these initiatives by designing and implementing programming that aligns with the initiatives - it isn't hard to do, either! In fact, if your PTA (unit or council) designed and implements programming that aligns with three of the five initiatives, your PTA will receive a special award recognition at the Twenty-Third District PTA awards event in May!
Simply complete and submit the form for each program, and we'll do the rest - including giving social media shoutouts to celebrate your accomplishments!
Has your unit planned/executed an event that aligns with the Superintendent's Initiatives? Share it with us by completing this form.
See the attached Initiatives flyer, or find more information by clicking this link.
RCOE Arts Corner: Teen Poet Laureate
We've attached information below, or you can find more information on this event by clicking this link.
We'll be sharing more information on fabulous RCOE Arts programming in the coming months, but you can also find more information on RCOE Arts supports attached below, or by clicking this link.
Update for Students: Use Footsteps2Brilliance for Financial Literacy!
We've shared with you the free literacy tools available with Footsteps2Brilliance courtesy of Riverside County Office of Education, but now Footsteps2Brilliance is even better - it now includes free, bilingual financial literacy and career readiness lessons to help ensure that students are able to step out into the world after high school ready to make smart decisions and tackle anything!
You can check out more information on this awesome new tool by clicking this link: go.rcoe.us/F2B-FinLitTool
Do you have a fabulous idea to incorporate this tool into your PTA's programming? Share it with us at Help@23rdDistrict.org (We might feature it on social media or in an upcoming newsletter!)
RCOE Arts Corner: The Spider Woman
Spiders don't have to be scary - especially this time of year!
Spiders are weavers, and so can every student - a weaver of stories, of thoughts, or of creation of artwork of their very own. In this newest RCOE Arts Corner activity, students can submit their very own reimagining of a spider just like Louise Bourgeois (Check this link to find out more about Louise and her sculpture) as part of the RCOE Arts Showcase: The Spider Woman.
We've also attached the flyer for the Spider Woman activity, and we look forward to seeing the incredible creations of students countywide!
RCOE and CareSpace - Creating Safe Places for Mental Health
Students and families all need safe places to get support - to recharge, refocus, and dial in to learning. To help support students (and aligning with the "Mental Health" Initiative launched in 2020 by Riverside County Office of Education and Dr. Edwin Gomez, CareSpace offers not only physical locations for students and families to receive support, but also online workshops and tools to help bring the community together and foster and build strong, healthy relationships for families and students. You are not alone. You matter. It is always okay to reach out for help.
Check out the resources and workshops available (for free!) with CareSpace and RCOE in the attached flyer. For more information, click this link.
We would like to welcome some new units to the Twenty-Third District PTA family!
Congratulations and welcome to:
- Rose Salgado PTA (Organized on September 16, 2025) [Hemet/San Jacinto Council PTA]
Welcome to the Twenty-Third District PTA Family!
September
- 1 - Hemet-San Jacinto Council of PTAs
- 1 - Palm Middle PTSA
- 3 - Fruitvale Elementary PTA
- 3 - Bubbling Wells Elementary PTA
- 5 - Lakeland Village School PTSA
- 5 - Rail Ranch Elementary PTA
- 6 - Letha Raney Intermediate PTSA
- 6 - McSweeny Elementary PTA
- 9 - Hemet Elementary Eagles PTA
- 9 - Alta Murrieta Elementary PTA
- 11 - Ramona Roadrunners Elementary PTA
- 11 - Armada Elementary PTA
- 15 - William McKinley Elementary PTA
- 17 - E. Hale Curran Elementary PTA
- 18 - Highland Elementary PTA
- 19 - John W. Stallings Elementary PTA
- 19 - Norco Elementary PTA
- 20 - Hamilton Elementary PTA
- 23 - Centennial High PTSA
- 23 - Indian Hills Elementary PTA
- 23 - Chemawa Middle PTSA
- 25 - Emerson Elementary PTA
- 28 - Del Sol Academy PTA
- 30 - Magnolia Elementary PTA
Happy Birthday! Congratulations on another year of making magic for kids!
We Need Magic-Makers at Twenty-Third District PTA!
We know that volunteers can be hard to find, believe us! We have lots of big plans to help support our units here at Twenty-Third District and we would love to have you involved!
If you are interested in the following positions:
- Vice President of Membership*
- Vice President of Advocacy*
- Parliamentarian
- Reflections
- Family Engagement/Convention
- Student Representatives
Reach out to President@23rdDistrict.org and let us know!
[*In order to serve in an elected District office, an individual must have served on the District board for at least one year in the last five years, or have served a council in an elected position for a full two-year term within the last five years.]
PTA Trivia
Did you make it all the way through the newsletter?
This little blurb isn't in the table of contents, and that's because it's a surprise!
Can you answer the three PTA trivia questions below?
The first three people to email the correct answers to President@23rdDistrict.org
will win a PTA-themed prize, plus a shout-out on Twenty-Third District PTA's social media!
(This month, we are focusing on compliance requirements - each month will be something different!)
- Question 1: What three agencies is a PTA required to complete filings for each year?
- Question 2: What is the premium amount for a unit for the 2026 insurance year, and to whom is it payable?
- Question 3: When would a unit be required to file a CT-TR-1 form? What agency is this form filed with?
Twenty-Third District PTA - Contact Us Any Time!
Mailing Address
23rd District PTA
c/o Riverside County Office of Education
38670 Sky Canyon Dr. #200, Office #202
Murrieta, CA 92563
Email: Help@23rdDistrict.org
Website: https://www.23rdDistrict.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/23rdDistrictPTA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/23rddistrictpta/